Butter handling device



2 "Sheets-Sheet l Eov /2f BEN/MM DALLAS 5. Blew/1AM Arranmsm June 16, 1931. w. E. v. SHAW ET AL BUTTER HANDLING DEVICE Filed June 9. 1927 l l I l i i l l I 1 1931 w. ELv. SHAW E1 AL 1,810,226

BUTTER HANDLING DEVICE} File'd June 9. 1927 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DALLAS B. BEN/1AM ATTaeNE-Ks' tirely surrounding the cartridge,

Patented .June 16, 1931 nares UNrrEo STATES" PATENT Fr -ca WILLIAM E. V. S EAW, DALLAS B.'BENHAM, AND ROY H. BENHAM, OF IKINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA BUTTER HANDLING DEVICE Application filed- June 9, 1927. Serial No. 197,649.

This invention relates to improvements in butter handling devices, the main object of the invention being to provide means wherebybutter may be cut as needed, without such exposure as will cause it to soft-en. Other objects are to provide containers or cartridges from which thebutter can be'fed to be cut; to provide means for feeding can tridges containing the butter into a position wherein the butter may be forced from the cartridges and be cut in smaller pieces dur inglejection; to provide means for feeding the cartridges to cutting position without to provide insulating means enduringthe cutting operation, and substantially at all times while the cartridge is in the receiving chamber of the feeding and cutting mechanism; provide an improved feeding and cut- 3 amming ting mechanism; and to provide for the 010-' sure of the feed-delivery opening of the cutting mechanism when the cutting element is inoperative.

Features ofthe invention include the broadidea of providing a cartridge having its walls insulated to prevent melting of the butter; the broad idea of feeding butter cartridges or containers from an ice vcompartment into a heat insulated chamber of a feedin;- and cutting machine; and to all the details of construction of the mechanisms and devices for carrying out the broad ideaof preventing melting or softening of the butter while it is being out or dispensed. t

Objects, features and advantages .of the invention will beset forth in the description of the drawings forming'a part of thisapplication, and in said drawings? I Figure 1 is a front elevation partly insec- Figure 2 is a; plan section substantially on lines 2-2 of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 3-3 of F gure 2;

Figure 4 is a'sectlon s mllar to Figure 3 showing the ejector and cartridge receiving chamber in its outer position; and p Figure 5 is an end view of the cutter element showing its relation to the delivery end of-the slidable cartridge receiving chamber of the feed and cutting mechanism I The device is composed of three main elements, a container for receiving and delivering' the cartridges; a cutting mechanism, for eluding a chamberlfor receiving the cartridges I delivered fromv the 1 container and holding them aligned in feeding and cutting position, said chamber being movable to discharge the empty cartridge after the butter has been removed therefrom; and means to prevent melting'of the butter during handling. a

The base frame generally comprises two uprights -12 connected by a cross structure generally designated 8 and providing at its forward side a pocket ,4, slidable within and outwardly from which is a hollow walled chamber 5 as acartridge receiving chamber into which the hollow walled cartridges 10 are delivered and held while the butter is being-ejected therefrom and cut. This hole low walled chamberis arranged to slide out wardly and is guidedfor slidingvmovements by rods 6-7. The rod 6 isprovided with a ber is a vertically elongated cartridge receiving chamber 17, open at one end as at 18,

see Figure 1, so that cartridges may be introduced in a horizontal direction and piled one upon the other. Surrounding this chamber 17 is a removable ice-receiving casing-20 having its walls hollow as shown at 22, or

otherwise suitably insulated. This casing is slidablyfitted over the chamber 17 and may,

therefore, be removed in an upward direction. The arrangement is such that ice or other cooling medium may be introduced through an opening in the top of the casing 20 to surround the chamber 17 and cool the butter contained in the cartridges 10. Access to the chamber 17 for the introduction of cartridges is had through door which is also of double wall construction. The door 30 is provided with a suitable latch.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4 it will be seen that the cartridge receiving chamber 5 of the feeding and cutting mechanism is so arranged that the cartridges may be delivered thereinto by gravity. It will be further noted that the walls of this chamber are hollow and that the opposite ends of the chamber are open as indicated at 36 to provide for entrance of av butter feeding plunger 40. The side 2 of the support or base is also apertured as at 37 for the passage of the plunger and the opposite side 1 is recessed as at 38 to receive the cutting element 50. The cartridges 10 are also hollow walled and, as before stated, they are deposited by gravity within the chamber 5 in such a position that the plunger may pass lengthwise through them, the cartridges, of course, being open at opposite ends for this purpose, see Figure 2.

In order that the cartridges may be delivered within the chamber 5, the walls of the chamber 17 are arranged at an angle to the vertical so that the rear faces of the cartridges remain in sliding engagement with the corresponding inner face of the chamber 17. As the result of this arrangement, there is no jamming, and the cartridges are always properly aligned. The vertical walls of said chamber 5 are also at an angle and the inner surface of its rear wall is substantially co-planar with the corresponding surface of the chamber 17 Therefore, the rear face of the cartridgeengages the corresponding face of the chamber 5 and the lower corner of the car tridge is thus directed into the corresponding angle or corner of the chamber, thus aligning the cartridge for traversal by the plunger 40.

A preferred form of the cutting and feeding mechanism is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises, in this instance, a circular cut ter element secured to a shaft 51 rotatable in the transverse portion 3 of the frame, projecting therebeyond as shown, and having its outer end supported in bearing 52, which forms part of a foot-like casting bolted as at 54 to the face of the side upright member 2 of the base frame. The foot-like frame 53 is also provided with a horizontal bearing 55 in which is journaled a shaft 56 having a crank 57 at one end and a bevel gear 58 at the opposite end, said bevel gear meshing with a companion gear 59 of the shaft 51.

The plunger head 40 is secured at the end of a rack bar 60 which is provided with ratchet teeth 61. This bar 60 is supported in guides 62-63, the guide 63 being integral with the bearing 55 of the shaft 56. The means for feeding the bar in synchronism with the cutter 50, comprises a rockable element pivoted at its lower end as at 80 to the frame 53, and circumscribing, and slidably embracing the feed bar 60, and extending above the bar. Within this element above the bar engaging with the teeth 61 is a pivoted pawl 82. The pawl is herein shown as gravity operable to engage the teeth of the bar 60 and can be raised to inactive position by depressing the pin 83. It will be seen that as the element 70 is swung back and forth in direction of the plunger, feeding action will take place.

In order to obtain this feeding movement as aresult of the operation of the cutter controlling means a cam 90 is provided, which is keyed to shaft 56. This cam engages a roller 91 journaled upon the side of the rockable element 70 and when the cam engages the roller, it throws the element forward for a feed stroke, the element 70 being retracted by a spring 92. Thus as the shaft 56 is rotated the cutter 50 is operated, and the butter is fed forward a certain distance for each revolw tion of the shaft 56.

In order to adjust the degree of feed, an adjustment stop 95 is provided, herein shown a screw, the outer end of which is arranged to engage and limit the retractive movement of the element 70 toward the cam 90.

It will be noted that the plunger head 40 is hollow and that a portion of the cutter element is also double walled, see Figures 2 and 5. Thus at all times except during the actual cutting stroke, the ends of the cartridge-receiving chamber 5 and of the cartridge will be substantially isolated from the outside air. The construction of the cutter and its arrangement to close the delivery end of the cartridge receiving slide or chamber is considered a novel feature of the invention. As shown in Figure 5, the hollow wall portion of the cutter disk is generally indicated at 96, a radially disposed wire 97 cuts the butter. Its position with reference to the delivery end of the chamber 5 is best shown in Figure 2.

Means is provided for causing the hollow walled portion 96 of the cutter elements 50 to always close the delivery opening 35 of the cartridge receiving chamber, when butter is not being out. Any preferred means may be used but the cutter element in this case has been provided with a weight shown at 98 which is so positioned as to bring the double walled portion 96- in front of the delivery opening 35 as soon as the operator releases the crank 57.

An important feature of the invention the provision of a butter container open at opposite ends and having its walls formed to prevent heating of the butter. Another means for closing the opposite ends of the carton or cartridge substantially at all times. Moreover, another feature includes the ldea of feeding cartons to the cutter mechanism from a cooling chamber, the arrangement being, such that the carton is deposited in a centered position for feeding and cutting,

and drops directly into this position from the cooling chamber. Another feature which has been set forth is the angular relation of the carton receiving chamber with reference to the inclined rear wall of the icing chamber so that the bottom cartridge falls intothe corner of the receiving chamber of the cutting mechanism and is, therefore, always accurately registered with the feeding plunger. Another feature of the device includes the provision of a mechanism whereby a few pieces of butter may be cut at a time and not be softened during the cutting operation, or will not be substantiallv softened while in cutting position within the receiving chain ber of I thefeeding mechanism. Another feature includes the heat insulated plunger head. 1 Operation In one use of the machine the cartridges are of a size to contaln a quarter of a pound of butter. These cartridges are, herefore,

filled with butter and are then introduced in a horizontal direction, see Figure 1, and piled within the chamber 17, the introduction being made throughthe opening closed by the door 30. The ejector may be considered as forming a movable lower portion of the chamber 17 because the first cartridge to be introduced into the chamber 17 will immediately fall into theejector chamber." The ice chamber 20 as before mentioned may be filled through the trap or door 27 at the top, and the whole casing can be removed by sliding in an upward direction, this for cleaning purposes. The lowermost cartridge is centered or aligned with the plunger. T he bottom side of the cartridge rests upon the double walled lining 24-. The bore of the cartridge and, therefore, the butter contained therein is thus registered for ejection by the plunger. T ie shaft 56 is now rotated by means of the handle 5'? and the plunger head is fed toward the cutter, and at the same time the cutter 50 is rotated.

It will be noted that whenever the cutting operation ceases the weight 98 will bring the double walled portion 96'of the cutter in a position to close the ejector opening 85, and

inasmuchas the plunger is now closingthe opposite end of the'cartridge, it will be seen that there will be nosubstantial heatingof the butter.

It will be understood that the cartridges when used in conjunction with the ice chamber should be thin walled so that the butter It will be further understood that the car-- tridges may be of any size or capacity and may be of different cross-sectional configuration.

The walls of the receiving chamber 5 of the cutting mechanism are formedto prevent heating of the butter and this chamber may receive a thin walled butter cartridge or a double walled butter cartridge.

We claim as our invention 1 1. A butter container as a cartridge'open at opposite ends and each wall being hollow, and a plunger adapted to pass through the cartridge, the plunger having a hollow head to slide through and close one end of the cartridge during feed movement, and a cutting wheel arranged to cut the butter as it is ejected by the plunger head, said wheel hav-- ing a hollow portion adapted to close the opposite end of the container when the, cutting, wheel is not operating, and means toauto-- matically cause the hollow portion to close the discharge end of the container.

2. A butter storing and cutting apparatus including a refrigeration chamber for receiving butter-containing cartridges, and a cut ting apparatus arranged to receive. car

tridges discharged from the refrigeration chamber, said apparatus providing a cartridge-receiving chamber, having walls to prevent warmingof the contents of the cartridges, means for ejecting the butter from the cartridge while held in the receiving chamber, and cutting means for slicing the butter asit is fed, said ejecting and cutting. means both bemgformed to prevent warming iii) ing of the contents of the cartridges, means I for feeding the butter through a cartridge when in the receiving chamber, and means for cuttingthe butter as it leaves the chamber.

4. A butter storingand cutting apparatus including a refrigeration chamber for receiving butter-containing cartridges, and a cuttingapparatus arranged to receive cartridges discharged from the refrigeration chamber said apparatus providing a cartridge receiving chamber, having walls to f prevent warming of the contents of the can tridges, means for feeding the butter through a cartridge when in thereceiving chamber, and means for cutting the butter as it issues from the chamber, said feeding and cutting means each being formed to prevent warming of the butter and said cutting means having its warming-preventing means arranged to close the delivery end of the cartridge and chamber when not operating.

5. A device of the class described comprising a magazine having a series of tubular hollow walled containers therein, each open at opposite ends, means for receiving and centering a bottomanost container delivered from the magazine, a feed plunger arranged to pass through the container while centered, means to feed said plunger, means to cut butter fed by said plunger, and common means for operating the feeding and cutting means simultaneously.

6. A device of the class described comprising a magazine having a stack of tubular containers therein each having hollow walls, means for receiving a container delivered from the bottom of the magazine, aplunger arranged to pass through a container thus received, means to feed said plunger, and means to cut butter fed by said plunger.

I 7. A device of the class described having an ice chamber having a delivery opening, cartridges having open ends and of a size to be delivered through said opening, a receiving chamber disposed to receive a cartridge delivered through the opening of the ice chamher, said receiving chamber having hollow walls and open ends, a plunger arranged to traverse the open ends of chamber and cartridge therein, and a cutter wheel arranged at the opposite end of the receiving chamber in a position to cut material fed by the plunger through a cart-ridge and from the chamber.

8. A butter storing and cutting apparatus including a refrigeration chamber, having a delivery opening in its bottom, hollow-walled open-end cartridges arranged to be delivered through the opening, a cartridge-receiving chamber arranged below the opening, said chamber having hollow walls with its end walls open, and being capable of moving from beneath the opening to discharge a cartridge, means for entering the open ends of chamber and cartridge and feeding the butter through a cartridge held in said chamber, and means for cutting the butter as it issues from the cartridge and chamber.

9. A device of the class described comprising a magazine adapted to receive a stack of tubular open-end containers, means for receiving a container delivered from the magazine, and a plunger arranged to pass through the container after delivery to the receiving means.

10. A device of the class described comprising a magazine adapted to deliver one by one a series of tubular containers each open at opposite ends, means for receiving and securing a bottom-most container after delivery from the magazine, and a feed plunger arranged to through the container while so secured.

11. A device of the class described having an ice chamber, a stack of open-end cartridges arranged to be delivered from said chamber, a plunger arranged to traverse the lowermost cartridge, after delivery, and a cutter for slicing the contents when ejected by the plunger.

12. A butter-storing and cutting apparatus including a refrigeration chamber having a delivery opening, a cartridge arranged to be delivered through the opening and having opening ends, a cartridge-receiving chamber arranged to receive a cartridge delivered from the opening, and having its end walls open to register with the open ends of the cartridge, means for moving the contents out of the cartridge while held in the receiving chamber, means for cutting the butter as it issues from the cartridge and chamber.

13. A butter-storing and cutting apparatus including a refrigeration chamber having a delivery opening, a cartridge arranged to be delivered through the opening, and having open ends, a cartridge-receiving chamber arranged to receive a cartridge so delivered, said chamber having its walls insulated and having its end walls open to register with the open ends of the cart-ridge, means for moving the contents out of the cartridge while held in the receiving chamber, and means for cutting the butter as it issues from the cartridge.

14. A device of the class described having a chamber having a delivery opening, a cartridge open at opposite ends and of a size to be delivered through said opening, means for receiving the cartridge thus delivered, and for holding it against movement, a plunger arranged to traverse the cartridge after, delivery to the receiving means, and a cutter arranged at the opposite end of the cartridge to cut material fed by the plunger out of the cartridge, said cutterhaving means adapted to substantially close the end of the cartridge when the cutter is not operating, and said plunger being initially arranged to substantially close the opposite end of the cartridge.

15. A butter storing and cutting appa- 44 ratus including a refrigeration chamber for receiving open-end butter containing cartridges, a receiving chamber adapted to receive cartridges discharged from the refrigeration chamber, and having walls adapted to prevent warming of the contents of the cartridges, means including a hollow walled plunger for feeding the butter through a cartridge when in the receiving chamber, said plunger having substantially a piston fit with the cartridge Walls, and means for our hands this 27th day of May, 1927.

WILLIAM E. V. SHAW. ROY H. BENHAM., DALLAS B. BENHAMJ 

